Applying for a Work Residence Visa in the UAE: Step-by-Step Instructions

Being one of the best destinations for workers in more skilled professions for expanding career horizons and living a better life, if you plan to work in the UAE, you shall be required to acquire a work residence visa in order to legally reside and work in the country. There are mainly two types of skilled work visas, which include the standard work visa and the Green visa for five years. You are guided through this to the process of applying for the visa.

1. Types of Work Visas in the UAE
There are two significant residence work visas for UAE skilled workers with different durations and benefits:
Standard Work Visa
Validity: It has two or three years validity, depending upon the contract type with the employer.
Eligibility: A confirmed job offer from a company in UAE is mandatory. The employer will take care of the whole application process on your behalf and will also apply for the work permit to the UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
Five-Year Green Visa for Skilled Workers
Validity: Green visa is issued for five years. This visa is relatively flexible compared to the work visa.
Eligibility: The Green visa does not need an employer’s sponsorship. However, it needs certain qualifications related to education and a valid work contract or permit as a freelancer. Therefore, it has strict eligibility criteria

2. Eligibility Criteria
There are different types of visas, and each has different requirements. The following are basic requirements and qualifications about the basic needs for the Standard Work Visa:

Requirements Eligible to Apply for Standard Work Visa

For Standard Work Visa
Employment Contract You must have a valid job offer from a UAE-based company.
Work Permit Your employer must apply for a work permit with the approval of MOHRE
Health Check You must undergo a medical fitness test in the UAE.
Emirates ID: Once the work permit receives a green flag, one needs to apply for an Emirates ID, which will act as his identity card while staying in that country.

For Five-Year Green Visa:
Skilled Professional: Must fall into the category of a skilled worker; that primarily means a graduate of higher education, like a bachelor’s degree, or above, in that field.
Valid Work Contract: You should have a valid work contract, or if you are a freelancer, proof of freelance permit or self-employment.
Minimum Salary Requirement: A minimum salary requirement shall be met depending on the nature of occupation and field of work.
No Sponsorship Required: A Green visa does not require a company to sponsor you; this gives you more mobility and independence.

3. Application Process

The process of working on both these visas takes multiple steps. Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1: Attaining a Job Offer or Freelance Permit
To start, you should have employment in the UAE or should attain a freelance permit in case of self-employment.

Step 2: Employer Applies for Work Permit (For Standard Work Visa)
For the standard work visa, your employer will apply for the work permit through the MOHRE system. Once approved, you will receive an entry permit and be allowed to enter the UAE to complete the remaining steps.

For the Green visa, you will apply directly from GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) portals.

Step 3: Medical Examination
A mandatory aspect of gaining employment overseas in the UAE is a medical fitness test conducted on every expatriate by an approved government clinic or hospital. Most countries apply this test to determine whether their citizens have infectious diseases such as tuberculosis or hepatitis.

Step 4: Application for Emirates ID and Biometrics
Once you have your work permit approved, you are supposed to go ahead with an application for an Emirates ID. In order to do this, you ought to visit an ICA center for biometrics including fingerprint and a photograph.

Step 5: Visa Stamp and Residence Permit
Once all the documents are set, your residence visa will be stamped into your passport and then can officially live and work in the UAE for the time your visa is valid. For the standard work visa, it’s valid for two or three years, while for the Green visa, it is valid for five years.

4. Advantages of a Five-Year Green Visa
There are several benefits of the Green visa against a standard work visa, as follows:

No Employer Sponsorship: It means that you can work either independently or change employers and do not have to ask your employer to transfer this sponsorship.
Extended Validity: The minimum five-year validity period under the Green visa provides long-term stability with relatively fewer renewals.
Self-Sponsorship for Family: Under the Green visa, the holder shall be allowed to sponsor his spouse, children, or any dependents for residence in the UAE without having to seek the approval of his employer.

Conclusion
The regime of immigration to the UAE as a skilled worker involves an application process systematically arranged with the standard work visa or the Green visa offered for a term of five years. There are preparing a job or freelance permit, medical exams, and getting an Emirates ID. The standard visa has more or less traditional routes. The Green visa is ideal for those who aspire to more independence and long-term residency. Both routes, therefore, ensure that trained individuals can enjoy whatever hot life there is to be led in the UAE.

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